CN103025585A

CN103025585A - Airbag system

Info

Publication number: CN103025585A
Application number: CN201180036043XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 大卫·S·布雷德
Original assignee: Automotive Technologies International Inc
Current assignee: Shanghai East Joylong Automobile Safe Saccus Co., Ltd.; Automotive Technologies International Inc
Priority date: 2010-06-02
Filing date: 2011-06-02
Publication date: 2013-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-02
Also published as: DE112011101891T5; AU2011261399A1; WO2011153338A3; GB2493884A; WO2011153338A2; US8801033B2; US20130062866A1; CN103025585B

Abstract

Low cost airbag system (1) for a vehicle that deploys to protect a driver and optionally a passenger during a crash involving the vehicle,. The airbag system includes a crash sensor system (2) that detects a crash involving the vehicle, a driver side airbag module (40) mounted to a steering wheel and including a driver side airbag (42) that inflates to protect the driver and a gas generator (108) that generates inflation medium to inflate the driver side airbag (42). A control module (6) is coupled to the crash sensor system (2) and gas generator (108) and initiates generation of inflation medium by the gas generator (108) based on detection of a crash by the crash sensor system (2). A similar system is provided for the passenger side airbag module (20).

Description

Gas-bag system

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to low-cost gas-bag system, and its common target is to use in developing country, but also can be applicable on the low-cost vehicle in the developed country.

Background technology

Many people are breaking away from poverty now in the world, and they have limited discretionary funds, but thirst for living a better life.This has brought the potential explosive market of very low cost power actuated vehicle (for example, Tata Nano).This explosive burst that also will cause number deadly when driving these vehicles that increases increases, and therefore, needs to use low-cost passive safety system, for example safety strap and air bag.Tata Nano arrives between the $ 2500 at $ 2000 in India's selling price, and company management's layer has represented that their target is the chaufeur of each vehicle and the gas-bag system that the passenger system has $ 10 or $ 20.The present invention that this paper discloses is exactly for this very low cost gas-bag system.

Summary of the invention

The preferred embodiments of the invention comprise:

1. single-point crash sensor, it comprises one or more mems accelerometers that are installed among the passenger airbag ECU.In a preferred embodiment, single mems accelerometer is in conjunction with using in order to the Low-cost GPS chip of proofreading and correct the error in the described mems accelerometer.In another preferred embodiment, use nearly three accelerometers and three gyroscopes, it consists of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and described IMU can be coupled to Low-cost GPS chip or receiver system to improve the accuracy of the device that consists of IMU by Kalman filter.This IMU also can be used for electronic stability control, rolling sensing, navigation and other application, and wherein any one in acceleration/accel, speed, cireular frequency, displacement and the angular transposition or whole Measurement accuracies will be useful.

2. the collision sensor system that substitutes can use and be installed in the front part of vehicle at the enough rears of bumper/spoiler Crash sensor is so that the bending of sensor and trigger can be indicated and usually have breaking that collision that 8MPH or higher speed changes is associated.

3. driver's side air bag module, wherein air bag is installed on the steering handwheel and with rotation therewith, and gas producer can be fixed to Steering gear, does not rotate with steering handwheel at this place's gas producer.Gas producer can be air gulp system or air suction type aerator, has to surpass approximately 2.0 to up to approximately 10 or more suction ratio.The part of its gas absorption spray is fixed with gas producer, and the part that cooperates is fixed with steering handwheel and with rotation therewith.Preferred γ-ray emission material can be selected from Dan Ji, double-basis or three bases without the group of opium pipe propellant, but but also example such as guanidine nitrate or such as many other propellants such as conventional airbag propellants such as sodium azide.The gas producer that substitutes uses pressure gas.

4. the side gas-bag for passenger module of choosing wantonly, its be installed in the instrument carrier panel and also contain have 2.0 and 10(or larger) between the air gulp system of suction ratio, and can be as in the driver's side air bag module, using without opium pipe propellant or other propellants or pressure gas.

5. simple ECU electronic control unit, it is contained in the passenger airbag module and by suitable wire and is connected to CrushSwitch or electronic crash sensor and driver air bag module.Indicate when needing the collision of airbag deployment when the CrushSwitch closure, the closed switch of this electronic building brick is to begin to launch passenger airbag system and driver air-bag system.Alternatively, this electronic building brick can send to encoded digital signal the driver air-bag system to begin simultaneously to launch driver air-bag.

6. when using the digital signal embodiment, the driver air-bag system can contain electronic module, and described electronic module is to decoding from the signal of passenger's module and the closed switch that driver air-bag is launched.

7. passenger and driver air bag module can contain the capacitor energy storage device when using the digital signal that is used for the chaufeur system, and it provides enough energy to begin to launch its corresponding air bag.Alternatively, when using direct start-up system, the single cond that is preferably placed in passenger's module can provide enough energy to start chaufeur system and passenger system.Yet, for reliability reasons, even when two conies are all in passenger's module, also can use described two conies to prevent that an air bag module is from its situation of drawing over-current and then grabbing required electric current from another module.

8. wire is connected to passenger airbag module with vehicle battery, it maintains the charge condition in passenger's module with energy storage cond (if use), and by the wire that passenger's module is connected with the chaufeur module, it also can maintain charge condition with chaufeur cond (when existing).Alternatively, wire can directly be provided to electric power air bag module and need not to use energy storage cond or in parallel with it.

9. chaufeur and passenger airbag comprise woven plastic film, and the each several part of described film is through heat seal, adhesive seal or sulfide.Alternatively, air bag can be made by the reinforced plastics film, and wherein reinforce is to be made by suitable high strength material.One or two air bag can not have vent window, and wherein ventilation function is provided by the stream by the air suction type aerator.

Many interpolations and modification to above-described optimum decision system are possible, and many will be described below, and other will be that the those skilled in the art can understand after reading this specification sheets.

Description of drawings

Description of drawings embodiments of the invention and be not intended to the scope of the present invention that restriction is contained by claims.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of gas-bag system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the explanation for the prior art version of the sensing crash sensor that breaks of sensing front shock, and Fig. 2 A illustrates that this sensor is to the installation of the heat spreader structures of vehicle.

Fig. 3 is the transparent view of passenger airbag module of the present invention, and Fig. 3 A is the cross sectional drawing of 3A-3A place intercepting in Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 B is the exploded drawings of the high pressure flow in pipes that intercepts in the round 3B of Fig. 3 A.

Fig. 3 C and 3D are the details of getter design of preferred embodiment of passenger's aerator system of Fig. 3, and it causes approximately 3.5 air-breathing ratio.

Fig. 4 is the circuit system schematic diagram that can be the gas-bag system controller of a part of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the view with driver air bag module of air suction type aerator.

Fig. 5 A and 5B are the details of getter design of preferred embodiment of the chaufeur aerator system of Fig. 5, and it causes approximately 3.5 air-breathing ratio.

Fig. 6 is prior art belt retractor gas producer details, and Fig. 6 A is the cross sectional drawing of the line 6A-6A intercepting in Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is the view for an embodiment of the gas producer box that uses with air suction type aerator of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is the explanation of the prior art driver air-bag made by woven film, and Fig. 8 A is the DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART of woven membrane material that forms the air bag of Fig. 8 to 8E.

The alternative of the seam of Fig. 8 F, 8G explanation construction drawing 8E.

Fig. 9 be according to the explanation of the passenger airbag of the similar principles of construction of driver air-bag of Fig. 8.

Figure 10 is the driver air bag module that removes from vehicle and the explanation of Steering gear assembly set.

Figure 11 has been cut to show the explanation of the vehicle that installation of sensors arranges of preferably breaking.

The dynamo-electric arming sensor that Figure 12 A and 12B explanation can be used with described system.

Figure 13 is the explanation of the occupant's existence based on electric capacity or electric field, quality and the health monitoring sensor that can use with described system.

Figure 14 is the explanation of pop-up type driver air-bag lid, and Figure 14 A is the birds-eye view of the lid of Figure 14, has loudspeaker or the touch pads of interpolation.

Figure 15 is the explanation of pop-up type passenger airbag module lid.

Figure 16 A and 16B explanation use the one point sensing device of IMU to select, wherein Figure 16 A explanation is connected to sensor the rigid element of front part of vehicle and side rupture zone, and Figure 16 B explanation is placed on the place that the parts that are rigidly connected are used for anterior impact sensing with mems accelerometer or IMU one point sensing device.

Figure 17 illustrates the selection of electronics rupture zone sensor.

Figure 18 illustrates the use of side curtain airbag.

The specific embodiment

Referring to graphic, wherein same reference numerals refers to same or similar element, the schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of explanation gas-bag system 1 of the present invention among Fig. 1.The crash sensor 2 of this preferred embodiment can be used as main crash sensor or uses in conjunction with the single-point crash sensor, and described crash sensor 2 is broken sensing device of rod tube formula of for example describing in the 7th, 481, No. 453 US Patent.This crash sensor 2 can be positioned over front part of vehicle the back through the calibrated distance place so that vehicle is to the breaking and cause the bending of pipe to indicate collision of described position, thereby need the expansion of passive bound system.Gas-bag system or more generally the passive bound system can comprise one or more air bags, safety belt pretensioner, safety belt airbag, net or any other extensible passive bound.In substituting preferred embodiment, can in the situation of the crash sensor that has or do not have the rupture zone installation, use the single-point crash sensor.

In Fig. 1, the large body display gas-bag system at 1 place at the break sensor of 2 places displaying as crash sensor, is showed driver air bag module at 3 places, show passenger airbag module at 4 places, and show storage battery at 5 places.Electronic component control unit (ECU) 6 can be contained in the passenger airbag module 4, separate with it or make things convenient for the position at arbitrary other.Single-point crash sensor and arming or insurance sensor can be positioned at ECU6 or separate with it.

Among Fig. 2 at the large body display in the 10 places detection sensor that breaks.The 7th, in the embodiment shown in 481, No. 453 US Patent, sensor 10 comprises single tubular part, it has two vertical components 11 and 12, lower horizontal parts 13, two

upper level parts

14 and 15, and a back step divides 16.Sensor 10 is for example closed by welding at an end 17 places of horizontal component 15, and base/adaptor union 18 is attached to sensor 10 at the end of part 16.

Sensor 10 can be installed to the front portion of vehicle, and can be made of pipe and the bar that is positioned at the center, described bar substantially with described pipe with prolonging but usually do not contact with described pipe.When sensor 10 when crooked along the arbitrary position of pipe work (for example beginning deployment balloon), except the section that prebends, for example curve 19, it joins respectively vertical component 11,12 to upper level part 14, and wherein plastic spacer (not shown) prevents that described bar from contacting described pipe, as describing in ' 453 patents.

When 10 bending of sensor during accident, the bar of conduction approaches and may contact the also described pipe of conduction.When bar when pipe contact, this indication needs enough serious accidents of airbag deployment to occur.Exist as disclosing the additive method of constructing the sensing accident with the rod tube formula in the patent of ' 453.In Fig. 2 A, show for the vehicle with anterior heat spreader structures how sensor 10 can be installed to the example of the heat spreader structures of vehicle.

In Fig. 3 in 20 place's general description according to anterior side gas-bag for passenger module of the present invention.Air bag module 20 comprises shell 29, lid 21, air bag 22 and air suction valve assembly set 23.The cross sectional drawing that Fig. 3 A explanation 3A-3A place in Fig. 3 intercepts, and the relation of detail display part more.From gas producer or pressure gas reservoir vessel (not shown) with gas feed to the air-breathing section that comprises air suction valve assembly set 23 in the access passage 26, shown in Fig. 3 B.Flow through killer 25 from the high pressure gas of passage 26 and enter contracting nozzle 24, state gas in this place and mix with gas from passenger compartment by air suction valve assembly set 23 and draw in gas from passenger compartment.At the slightly downstream part of contracting nozzle 24, miscellaneous gas enters divergent nozzle 27 and enters subsequently section 28, flows into air bag 22 and makes air bag 22 inflations at this place's miscellaneous gas.The geometric configuration of Fig. 3 C and 3D explanation preferred passenger aerator, it produces approximately 3.5 suction ratio.Suction is than being the gas volume of suction and the ratio of the gas volume of generation, means in the case that approximately 78% gas is is from gas producer from passenger compartment and 22%.

In one embodiment, when taking fire as discussed below propellant, a small amount of high pressure gas access passage 26 that for example produces during pure BKNO3 substantially when burning and flow into subsequently killer 25 and enter respectively contracting nozzle 24 and divergent nozzle 27.Therefore fast this extremely high pressure and high-temperature gas have extremely low density and flow into a place, apply high pressure in the front portion of air bag and module lid and cause cover to discharge and air bag begins initial deployment thereby state gas in this place.This process continues the utmost point short time, from approximately 1 millisecond to several milliseconds, and occurs before the opening of air suction valve assembly set 23.This process of beginning causes cover to discharge and air bag begins to launch.After the extremely short time period, gas fully cools off and concentrated and produce vacuum in air bag and in various sections and

nozzle

28,27 and 24.This can cause air suction valve assembly set 23 to open and help to begin breathing process subsequently.To this moment, come spontaneous combustion to promote mainly into the gas of agent and begun to flow through passage 26 and killer 25 enters contracting nozzle 24.Mix with gas from atmosphere subsequently and miscellaneous gas makes airbag aeration from the gas of main propellant.By this process, can realize surpassing from 3 parts of air ratios of passenger compartment air-breathing rate from a gas of propellant.Fig. 3 same numeral in the 3D represents identical parts.

Explanation is for the circuit diagram of an example of the simple low-cost gas-bag system circuit of chaufeur and passenger airbag system among Fig. 4.Described circuit system can reside in the shell, and described shell can contain other circuit relevant for passive safety system in addition.It also can hold can be correlated with or can incoherent other circuit, for example relevant with occupant's sensing system or relevant with active safety system (if existence) circuit.Other not shown passive safety systems can comprise side air bag, side curtain airbag, kneepad air bag, safety strap installing type air bag, active headrest, and safety belt pretensioner etc.Individually or these circuit of combination can usually be called gas-bag system controller or safety system controller at this paper, or control circuit, control unit, control system, control layout, control module.

Referring to Fig. 4, show substantially the control circuit of the startup of control driver air-bag system and passenger airbag system at 30 places.31 pairs of system supply electric power of vehicle battery.The sensor 32 that breaks is installed in the place ahead rupture zone of vehicle and detects vehicle whether enough break to guarantee one or more triggering in the air bag in accident, and is the switch closure input to circuit 30.In a similar manner, arming sensor 33 also provides switch closure to circuit 30.Require two sensing switchs all closed with deployment balloon or other passive bound devices.Compare with system early, described closure need not overlapping, as long as two sensors 32,33 closed during accident section correlation time (for example approximately 100 milliseconds).This permits using simple arming sensor, and it can only provide and be less than 1 millisecond closure, and this can become generation after circuit 30 disconnects before sensor 32 closures of breaking or at it owing to damaged in collision.If it is all closed that treater 37 has been determined two sensors 32 and 33, so electric current is sent to passenger airbag aerator firing unit 34(or gas producer) and driver air-bag aerator firing unit 35(or gas producer) both, and two air bags all launch.

Treater 37 can also getting type be carried out Diagnosis with Minimum Cost and is for example disconnected or the arming sensor 33 of the sensor 32 that breaks of short circuit, the passenger airbag aerator firing unit 34 that disconnects, the driver air-bag aerator firing unit 35 that disconnects, short circuit, be used for voltage on the backup capacitor power supply 38,39,40 of driver air-bag, passenger airbag and treater 37 and the state of seat occupant sensor or switch (if existence) to check.If find unexpected situation, can use so any code activation buzzer phone or alarm lamp of making things convenient for the feature to operator's indication fault.And the record of fault can be stored in the memory device that is associated with treater 37 or certain makes things convenient for the position.Although not shown among Fig. 4, can use the electronic crash sensor system with break sensor 32 or the sensor 32 that replaces breaking.This electronic crash sensor system will be described below and can or be installed in the ECU or certain makes things convenient for the IMU of installed position to form by one or more forward direction rupture zone installing type accelerometers, MEMS single shaft or twin-axis accelerometer.Gps receiver can use in the error in corrected acceleration and the gyroscope with the electronic crash sensor system.This corrective system can be utilized Kalman filter, and it is known in airmanship but it is believed that crash sensor technology is novel.Before, mems accelerometer needed continuous self test in order to proofread and correct because the error that the temperature and time associated drift in the accelerometer is brought.Therefore, GPS-kalman filter method described herein has significantly been simplified based on the required hardware of the crash sensor of MEMS, circuit and software.

Be similar to above the air-breathing layout of the air-breathing layout of discussing referring to Fig. 3 among Fig. 5 in 40 place's general description for the driver's side air bag module.That air-breathing layout 40 is arranged in steering handwheel (that is, its core) and air bag 42 and covering on the relative side of the airbag cover 41 of air bag 42.Air-breathing layout 40 comprises shell 49 and air suction valve assembly set 43.Valve assembly 43 is unspecified in Fig. 5, but can be comprised of the flexible material against the screen cloth location.When because the pressure drop in the shell 49 and during at flexible material generation difference of pressure, the gas that flexible material deformation and flow into air bag 42 to permit air from the inside of passenger compartment by shell 49 against shell retainer 107, its Air and gas producer by burning module 108 produce or other are inflated medium and are mixed.From gas producer or burning module 108 with gas feed to the air-breathing section that comprises air suction valve assembly set 43 in passage 46.Flow through killer 45 from the high pressure gas of passage 46 and enter contracting nozzle 44, state gas in this place and mix with gas from passenger compartment by air suction valve assembly set 43 and draw in gas from passenger compartment.Slightly after contracting nozzle 44, miscellaneous gas enters divergent nozzle 47 and is delivered to subsequently in the air bag 42 and makes air bag 42 inflations (by one or more apertures 109 in the core that is formed at steering handwheel).Shell 49 possesses the wall of suitable shaping to produce contracting nozzle 44 and divergent nozzle 47.Support pads and sealing member 48 can be by making to allow steering handwheel with respect to the rotation of aerator (air bag module is in the part at steering handwheel rear) such as suitable materials such as felts, the Leakage Gas of simultaneous minimization from the aerator to the atmosphere.

Fig. 5 A and 5B illustrate the geometric configuration of preferred chaufeur aerator, and it produces approximately 3.5 suction ratio.Substantially all parts that consist of the air suction type aerator are all made by reinforced plastics.It is cold that air gulp system is kept assembly set during operation.The slight corrosion of plastics can occur in the zone of killer, and certain metal screen may be necessary.This shielding part can molded operating period inserted mode system in plastics.

In a preferred embodiment, when taking fire as discussed below propellant, a small amount of high pressure and the high-temperature gas access passage 46 that for example produces during pure BKNO3 substantially when burning and be delivered to subsequently in the killer 45 and enter respectively contracting nozzle 44 and divergent nozzle 47.Therefore fast this extremely high pressure and high-temperature gas have extremely low density and flow into a place, apply high pressure in the front portion of air bag and airbag cover 41 and cause and cover 41 and be released and air bag 42 begins initial deployment thereby state gas in this place.This process continues the utmost point short time, from being less than 1 millisecond to several milliseconds, and occurs before the opening of air suction valve assembly set 43.This process of beginning causes to be covered 41 and is released and air bag 42 begins to launch.After the extremely short time cycle, gas fully cools off and concentrated and produce vacuum in air bag 42 and in various nozzles 47 and 44.This causes air suction valve assembly set 43 to open and help to begin breathing process subsequently.To this moment, come spontaneous combustion to promote mainly into the gas of agent and begun to flow through passage 46 and killer 45 enters contracting nozzle 44.Mix with gas from atmosphere subsequently and miscellaneous gas makes air bag 42 inflations from the gas of main propellant.By this process, can realize surpassing from 3 parts of air ratios of passenger compartment air-breathing rate from a gas of propellant.The cost of propellant that alternatively, can be extra and lower total suction ratio is cancelled BKNO3.

Explanation prior art gas producer 50 among Fig. 6 and the 6A.This generator is described in No. 914 US Patent the 6th, 553.This generator and similar generator be before because the great amount of carbon dioxide that produces and single, double and triple base propellants used with the nitrocellulose that only is used for safety belt pretensioner and other, if it is used for chaufeur and passenger airbag for the people in the situation that respiring time one long-time section can be toxicity.Yet in the present invention described herein, can use the generator of this type because with so that the majority of gas of airbag aeration is air, its by air-breathing from passenger compartment and therefore relatively seldom carbon dioxide be discharged into the passenger compartment from air bag.

The modification for the prior art of using with air suction type chaufeur and passenger airbag that in Fig. 7, illustrates among instruction diagram 6 and the 6A.The amount of γ-ray emission material 52 and therefore gas producer box 50 geometric configuration, size that total size and especially length will depend on employed air bag with and be to change between vehicle for chaufeur or passenger airbag.The firing unit 56(that gas producer box 50 contains gas tight seal contains ignitor propellant 60), it is molded in the box shell 54, as discussing in the patent of ' 914.Coupler 58 is connected to beginning circuit (not shown) with box shell 54.When retrofire device 56, it begins to light propellant 52 and a post fast burn ignitor propellant 62, it will burn and take rapidly for example BKNO3 of firearm propellant 64(that makes an inventory to) arrive the place ahead of box, locate the gas that its generation can be the first gas at this, described the first gas enters getter after passing through the perforated side plate 66 of box shell 54.This gaseous combustion is exceedingly fast and is very hot, but because the less amount of its common 1 to 3 gram, it has few total heat energy and only the part of getter and air bag is after a while caused surface damage.When this gas entered air bag, it was extremely short but be enough to flick in time of airbag cover and beginning airbag deployment and produce high pressure.Be right after after described gas enters air bag, its cooling and concentrated and generating portion vacuum, its help is opened air suction valve and is begun air-breathing.

Among Fig. 8 the large body display in 80 places according to teaching of the present invention structure without the drift bolt driver air-bag.Spendable membrane material discloses in No. 464 US Patent the 5th, 653 in gas-bag system of the present invention, and woven membrane material discloses in No. 566 US Patent the 7th, 820.Fig. 8 A is to the various features of 8D explanation such as the woven membrane material of explanation in the patent of ' 566 and discussion.Fig. 8 F explanation structure is the alternative of useful seam in some applications, wherein uses the shearing joint to replace the overlapped joint of Fig. 8 E.In the case, material layer to be joined can be heated sealing or adhesive seal together to form seam.Alternative is to be with 81 in two layer heating or adhesive seal one, and described two layers can dock now each other, shown in Fig. 8 G.The seam of Fig. 8 F and 8G can be depending in some cases the elastic property of employed adhesives and stronger joint is provided.

The passenger airbag of constructing according to teaching of the present invention in the explanation of 90 places among Fig. 9.The air bag module 91 that is associated contains 92 sentences the air bag that inflated condition is showed.

See now the driver air-bag system that in Figure 10, shows substantially at 100 places.The aerator box of Fig. 7 is shown as 101 and be installed to aforesaid air gulp system 106 substantially in Figure 10.Air gulp system 106 is installed to Steering gear 104 by suitable pipe 107, so that they can be along with Steering gear 105 rotations.Aerator comprises burner box 101, and it is vented in the air gulp system 106 by pipeline 102.Wire 103 is connected to air bag ECU110 with box 101.In this way, the expensive clock spring connecting cable that need in conventional gas-bag system, not use, thus significantly reduce the cost of gas-bag system 101.Air bag ECU110 can be arranged in the vehicle Anywhere, and wherein preferred the placement is in side gas-bag for passenger module (when existing).

Steering handwheel 105 is installed to steering shaft 108, and steering shaft 108 is rotatably installed in the Steering gear 104.

Explanation low-cost vehicle (for example Tata Nano) among Figure 11, wherein the part of the front portion of vehicle is cut and is removed and showed that the optimal sensor selection that breaks installs.The sensor 111 that breaks can be positioned on the rear, top and near salient of the spare tyre 114 in the front part of vehicle.Described position through selecting so that break sensor 111 sufficiently crooked unspecified angle between spending with 30 from zero under with the collision speed that is being not less than 8MPH and maximum 15MPH enter the frontal collisions of baffle plate the time make contact, bar and pipe.Location and the shape of sensor 111 of breaking will be for different vehicle models and according to specific vehicle maker with use the requirement of country change.This type break sensor 111 how the details of design and installation in various common all patents of above reference and in especially the 5th, 441, No. 301, the 6th, 206, No. 129 and the 6th, 328, No. 126 US Patent, discuss.

The sensor 111 that breaks can be installed on the structure member of vehicle 112 rigidly, so that the sensor 111 crooked and beginning closure before there is substantial deformation in structure member 112 of breaking.Wire 115 from the sensor 111 that breaks is incorporated into the gas-bag system ECU that is positioned at module 113.This module 113 can be the part of passenger airbag module.

In some cases, the one or more mistakenly indication collisions in the distinguishing sensor are being carried out, and in these cases, do not need deployment balloon.This can in the situation that pipe during safeguarding or owing to certain other actions buckle and the bar short circuit occurs by the sensing crash sensor that breaks against pipe.For anti-here situation causes airbag deployment, ECU requires except the sensor closure of breaking, and arming sensor (being sometimes referred to as the insurance sensor) must indicate vehicle integral body to slow down with the level that for example is higher than 1G, and this only can occur during accident.Can be via the requirement of ECU software set, so that two sensors must be closed to be used for airbag deployment in each other 100 to 500 milliseconds.Therefore, if the sensor 111 that breaks is closed and the arming sensor is for example closed after 1 hour subsequently unintentionally, air bag will not launch and indicating fault will occur so.

As hereinafter mentioning, if the arming function can be existed by this device of IMU() carry out.If IMU or other electronic accelerometers do not exist, but so example as shown in Figure 12 A and 12B simply based on the sensor of pendulum.This device can be attached to the printed circuit board (PCB) that is contained in the air bag ECU by welding or other proper methods by pin 133 and 134.A preferred embodiment of described device shows and comprises the sensing quality 121 that is arranged in shell 127 at 120 places in Figure 12 A.During colliding, sensing quality 121 moves to the right among the figure, causes conductor 126 to move towards the conductive surface 135 of plug 122 from insulator or insulating surface 125.Plug 122 is electrically connected to conductive pin 134.If the acceleration/accel of sensor experience has enough values and time length, the 1mph speed that is generally equal in 10 to 20 milliseconds changes, and conductor 126 will contact with conductive surface 135 so, thereby finish the circuit between pin 133 and 134.Sensing quality 121 can continue to move right after forming contact, thereby some time lengths of the closing of contact are provided.ECU will record and form contact (even inferior millisecond duration of contact), and if the sensor that breaks also indicated collision underway, air bag will launch so.Usually must be within common 20 to the 100 milliseconds time cycle closed its contact of described two collision indication sensors, otherwise ECU will conclude do not have collision and the sensor that breaks by short circuit unintentionally.In said case, ECU will suppress expansion and the indication fault situation of air bag.

In Figure 12 B, show the slightly different configuration of arming sensor at 130 places.In the case, sensing quality 131 is made by electrically nonconducting material or is had non-conductive coating, and it contacts with external conductive casing 128 when static.Behind enough acceleration/accels in the enough time cycle of lasting that senses indication collision, contact 129 contact shells 128, to send to ECU(not shown thereby finish the circuit between

133 and 134 and in the manner described above collision is carried out middle signal).Other method is the always closed and disconnection during colliding of arming sensor.In said case, the insulator 125 of Figure 12 A need not to exist, and the sensing quality 131 of Figure 12 B can be conduction.In both cases, sensor design all is simplified.

In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer can incorporate into occupant's sensor take the sensing occupant on the passenger seat of vehicle exist and in the situation that seat as the empty air bag that suppresses.The complicated version of this sensor can be used to the occupant's classification with seat, and is not to suppress air bag in the situation about being taken by the people greater than threshold value build or body weight at seat.Even more complicated version can monitor chaufeur or passenger's health and fatigue state.Mention as mentioned, simple camera system can carry out some functions in these functions and whether definite occupant is too near to air bag so that he or she more may be injured by air bag rather than in the situation that be injured by collision without air bag in addition.In position occupant injury no longer is not a problem for the system that adopts air suction type aerator as described herein.The occupant exists or position transduser will be connected to control module or the ECU of control airbag deployment, and will cause ECU to adjust the airbag deployment decision-making based on occupant's existence and/or position.

Explanation is carried out certain classification but there is an example of sensor in the occupant of non-executing location sensing among Figure 13.Seat is at the large body display in 140 places and comprise seat bottom 141 and back of seat 142, and

conductive pad

143 and 144 is embedded in described seat bottom and the back of

seat.Pad

143 and 144 forms the plate of simple capacitor or electric-field sensor, and it can be coupled by the existence that is positioned over the dielectric substance (for example, human occupant) on the pad 143,144.Actual embodiment can be used a plurality of plates or antenna, as is understood by those skilled in the art that, and will not describe herein.Described antenna is controlled by ECU145, and described ECU can be through installing as the part of seat or being installed in other places.For the more detailed description of this technology, referring to the 61/452nd, No. 469 U.S. Provisional Patent Application case of application on March 14th, 2011.

To understand, and compare with people than small body type, the people who sits large build on the seat will cover the major part of seat and the electric current of arrival condenser armature will be had considerable influence.The people than small body type who sits on the seat will cover than small size, and therefore impact will be less.Pad 143,144 and be used for to be lower than with the cost of the microprocessor of relatively large measuring capacity the price of camera.Above-described ECU145 preferably uses MSP430F2001, and it also can measure the electric current in occupant's sensing electric-field sensor.Therefore, in order to increase this ability, only need to consider the cost that fills up and connect up.This device also can be in order to distinguishing between child and the adult, but it is accurate like that and to be not so good as the working weight sensor.Described device also can be in order to measuring for example health and the fatigue state of chaufeur, and can promote the use of wireless switching and touch pads, as hereinafter describing in the application case of neutralization ' 469.

Can place to use simple weight sensing system by strain gage or other power or displacement monitoring sensor being placed on seat is attached to support to adjust on the bolt of rail or in conjunction with described bolt with seat.This system is described in the 7th, 766, No. 383 that are incorporated herein by reference and the 7th, 421, No. 321 US Patent.Alternatively, simpler system can use spring and microswitch in the seat strut member, and it will provide based on occupant weight minimum and distinguish.If the jack system allows to launch under setting with at least one the closed situation in switch, and each is through setting with closed under 50 pounds, so no matter where the occupant is sitting in and whether his or her body weight surpasses 100 pounds, at least one switch is arranged with closure.Because the occupant is may be in vehicle mobile forward or backward, so system should latch and lasts the reasonable time cycle.Disclose a kind of complicated strain gage weight sensing system in the 7th, 243, No. 945 US Patent.

The transparent view of showing the lid that is used for driver air bag module among Figure 14 at 150 places.Lid 150 can be made by polycarbonate, has approximately 0.010 and the about thickness between 0.030 inch.Other suitable materials can be used for lid, for example TPO(TPO), but have certain weight and the potential cost of injury.Lid 150 can have groove 151, and it cooperates with corresponding antelabium in the air bag module and through designing so that when air bag is exerted pressure to lid, groove 151 is withdrawn from and covered from module from its cooperation antelabium air bag module and flicks.Lid 150 can be attached to module to prevent that covering 150 projects the occupant by band (not shown) or additive method.

Lid 150 also can comprise the pad 152 that is positioned at center or other places, and it can provide horn pad at least.Described pad can be connected to proper circuit by wire 153.If described pad is to be applied to cover 150 conductive surface, so can capacitive way determine the contact of chaufeur.As an alternative, independent pad can be attached to and cover 150 and separate with it by its shape or by foam or additive method, so that pressing of effects on surface can cause two conductive surfaces to connect, and then close switch.Complicated replacement scheme is that pad 152 is made as touch pads, can measure at this place chaufeur finger the position and be used for other devices that are similar to touch pads on control example such as telltale or the laptop computer.Contain for example four conductive sections if fill up 152 periphery, and as among Figure 13, use the electric field pad, can determine so the position of pointing and implement required function.It is huge selecting the space, and will not attempt it is contained herein.The present invention mainly is in order to provide simple switch or touchpad function to be used for mutual with another vehicle assembly or to control another vehicle assembly in conjunction with thin airbag cover.

The transparent view of showing the lid of passenger airbag module among Figure 15 at 160 places.As in the chaufeur module, lid 160 also can be made with the polycarbonate of the about thickness between 0.030 inch or such as other materials such as TPO by having approximately 0.010, and has similar groove 161, is used for promoting to eject when air bag begins to be pressed layout.Although not shown, touching pad device also can cover 160 in conjunction with this to be incorporated into, in order to effectively utilize the zone that is originally occupied by air bag module.

In another embodiment of very low cost gas-bag system, the place ahead gas-bag system can be triggered by center installing type crash sensor.This crash sensor can be the form of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) or single shaft or biaxial MEMS accelerometer, and wherein any one illustrates substantially at 170 places in Figure 16 A and 16B.IMU or single shaft or twin-axis accelerometer can be installed on the structure member and can be attached to the anterior of vehicle and be attached to the side of vehicle by parts 174 by parts 171,172 and 173.Parts 171 to 174 are attached to the rupture zone of vehicle rigidly, and it will transfer to IMU175 from the impact pulse of rupture zone during colliding, so that the IMU175 experience acceleration/accel situation of experience is identical with its script in the situation of the other end that is positioned at parts 171 to 174.In some cases, these parts 171 to 174 can be the part of vehicle structure, as long as its degree of will speed up during former milliseconds of collision is transferred to IMU175 and is not transferred to vehicle integral body, so that IMU175 can be relatively independent of carbody or framework changes its speed.By this technology, can come sensing to the collision of front portion and the side of vehicle with single IMU.

In the embodiment that illustrates in Figure 16 B, rigid element 174A can act on another rigid element 177, and rigid element 177 serves as throw of lever and pivots at attachment point 173A place.In this embodiment, the lateral acceleration that acts on sensor 175 reduces factor or other appropriate amounts of 10:1, and then allows to use in sensor 175 more sensitive accelerometer.

When using the air suction type aerator in such as the preferred embodiments of the invention, the not air bag injury that unlikely is unfolded of in position occupant.In case because air bag and occupant interact, pressure begins to rise, air-breathing aerator just cuts out and in the situation that air suction valve is prevented from closing fully, gas begins to flow out draft equipment, and described draft equipment can be air-breathing aerator self.Therefore, do not need substantially occupant's sensor, thereby further reduced the cost of system.After a while sensor when being triggered by the one point sensing device is disposed in the limit collision of the complete capacity that can not need therein air bag and is occured.It also can impact for the first time therein in the repeatedly impact that is not enough to trigger air bag and occur.Conventional system on the current market is not considered in these situations any one for chaufeur, and so gas-bag system of the present invention more safer than the conventional gas-bag system of present production inherently.The current gas-bag system that production seldom arranged measure passenger's position and therefore the passenger not on the line in position the time.Again, system of the present invention is therefore than current passenger airbag system safety routine and high more expensive of producing.

The IMU(Inertial Measurement Unit) be usually to contain three accelerometers and three gyrostatic devices, but various designs can contain these devices of different numbers, and can buy from many makers, for example AnalogDevices, ST Microelectronics and InvenSense.A novel example is described in No. 125 US Patent the 4th, 711.These devices are used for mobile phone and tablet PC, for example iPhone and iPad more and more.For collision and the rolling sensing that is used for vehicle, the range of accelerometer should be in 1 to 200G range rather than is used for 0 to 10G or small-range more of tablet PC for example.If do not use parts 171 to 174, then IMU can be used for the collision of non-ruptured district and rolling sensing, and in the case, the accelerometer range can reduce to 1 to 50G or less.Gyroscope in two kinds of situations of rupture zone and non-ruptured district sensing can be identical, and can be used for the sensing that rolls.In another embodiment, IMU can use by the sensitivity identical with the sensitivity used in the tablet PC with other distinguishing sensors wherein.For instance, if use the switch that breaks in rupture zone, IMU can satisfy the function of sensing rolling and also serve as the arming sensor so, as discussed below.Alternatively, IMU can be attached to rigidly vehicle structure and independent triaxial accelerometer can be attached to parts 171 to 174, and in the case, IMU satisfies arming and rolling sensing function.

Can how to use IMU certainly to have many variations in conjunction with acceleration/accel transferring elements and other sensors.Other preferred embodiment are single-axis accelerometer to be positioned over the various positions in front portion, side and/or the rear portion rupture zone of vehicle and IMU is positioned among the air bag ECU, and IMU serves as arming and roller sensor at this place.

Substantially, in the time can't guaranteeing that safety strap uses, use the rupture zone sensor.Use to it was reported it approximately is 20% at the safety strap such as developing countries such as the nations of China and Indias.When generally using of seat belts, then the sensitivity of crash sensor can reduce, and owing to the airbag deployment injury that for example a little launches evening to bring in soft collision is minimized.Yet, the injury that still can exist these air bags to cause in position occupant not.Useful rider positions sensor minimizes not in position these injuries of occupant.In these occupant's sensors the most effective and the most cheap one be single camera, it monitors driver's seat or passenger seat or both.

To be integrated into a key advantage in the vehicle be when itself and gps receiver combination and when using Kalman filter, the accuracy of IMU can increase greatly with IMU.Most of low-cost IMU use the MEMS fabrication techniques, although low some the intrinsic problems that experience of its cost.When mems accelerometer and gyroscope are to add man-hour from the single crystal of for example silicon is little, in described crystal, can there be unrelieved stress, its character that causes device is along with time, temperature and other environmental factors change in uncertain mode.Described device can stand accelerated weathering (for example thermal cycle) and last one-period, and will reduce in the described uncertainty some.Subsequently, can derive an equation for each element, it makes device character relevant with temperature etc.Yet, method for optimizing when gps receiver exists be periodically analyze IMU output and with the integration of the position (position and attitude) of the vehicle of determining from GPS, and use subsequently Kalman filter to adjust each formation equation in the described device, so that it is consistent with each other and meet from the position that GPS determines and change in inside.By these methods, the accuracy of IMU can significantly increase.This technology is applicable to extremely sensitive accelerometer substantially, for example less than 1G those accelerometers to the 5G range.For the higher calibration accelerometer that is used for collision sense that for example uses in the rupture zone of vehicle, but another technology such as example such as self test are improved accuracy; Yet self test can increase cost and the complexity of sensing system.Also can adopt other sensors to improve the IMU accuracy, for example magnetometer and flux gate compass.

In case IMU resides on the vehicle, then can be benefited such as other functions such as electronic stability controls.Although most of IMU have gyroscope, but do not use gyrostatic alternative IMU at Peng, Y.K. and Golnaraghi, M.R " integrated existing accelerometer network based on vector without gyroscope inertial navigation system (A Vector-Based Gyro-Free Inertial Navigation System by IntegratingExisting Accelerometer Network) " discuss in (IEEE position location and navigation seminar, 2004).

Above-described system utilizes electricity or electronic crash sensor.Teaching of the present invention also is applicable to use mechanical pick-up device and stab cap, such as the 7th, 481, discloses in No. 453 US Patent.

As discussed above, electronic accelerometer can use with the sensing collision, as doing in the conventional gas-bag system in the rupture zone with low-cost gas-bag system of the present invention.This illustrates substantially at 180 places in Figure 17.Be converted into digital form from two acceleration/accels that record based on the crash sensor 181 of accelerometer, based on accelerometer and encoded, and be fed on the data bus 182 that is connected to ECU37.ECU37 processing said data and determine whether to answer deployment balloon.Although two sensors based on rupture zone installing type accelerometer of explanation can use one, three or even more in some applications among Figure 17.The concept of the code signal of the collision that indication senses or detects also can be used in other embodiments, and wherein encoded signal sends to the gas producer of driver side and side gas-bag for passenger module to cause it to begin to produce the inflation medium from ECU.

In the situation that known chaufeur and passenger for example fasten the safety belt according to legal requiremnt, can not need the rupture zone sensor and use the one point sensing device.This sensor can be similar to the mode of arming sensor illustrated in fig. 12 and make, but has different deviations and stroke.

The air suction type aerator has the advantage that is better than pure pyrotechnics aerator and is with so that the gas of airbag aeration is considerably colder because make airbag aeration gas 75% or more can be from passenger compartment.In a similar manner, when air-breathing when using with stored-gas inflator, make the gas of airbag aeration may be cold like that not as the situation of pure stored-gas inflator.Even when using the enhanced aerator, the air-breathing temperature of the gas in the air bag that also causes is close to ambient temperature.

At last, described low-cost gas-bag system can be used for the side curtain airbag, for example illustrates substantially at 190 places among Figure 18, and is used for not shown side air bag.Flowing through in a usual manner path 191 from the gas of the aerator that can be air suction type enters in the chamber 192.

By the structure of the one or more middle descriptions in various configurations above, obtain main purpose of the present invention, including but not limited to:

1. the very low cost gas-bag system is provided.

2. the system with very low cost rupture zone installing type crash sensor is provided, and described crash sensor need to cause that the collision of remarkable vehicle deformation triggers, and has therefore eliminated substantially the expansion that rough road causes.

3. eliminate the electrical connection of steering-wheel-mounted driver air-bag, and therefore eliminated expensive " clock spring " connected system.

4. utilize easy and cheap available propellant in most countries.

5. when the propellant combustion product contains such as pollutantss such as carbon dioxide, by air-breathing and dilute fully residues of combustion from gas producer, thereby after launching, produce respirable environment.

6. in one or two air bag module, minimize wiring cost by applying the required energy of beginning deployment balloon, and randomly utilize digital signal to be used for carrying out driver air-bag via carrying electric power with the identical wire that the air bag capacitor power is charged and launch.

7. reduced substantially in the following way the cost of air bag: use woven film, eliminated drift bolt, eliminated breather port by ventilating via aerator, and minimize or eliminated stitching by heat, adhesives or sulfuration sealing.

8. by simplifying airbag cover via injection-molded from making airbag cover such as thin highstrenghtpistons such as polycarbonate.

9. initially begin air-breathing and remove airbag cover to come deployment balloon with help by the specific excessive temperature lower density propellant (for example Boron Nitride potassium (BKNO3)) that is filled with.

10. form gas producer and gas absorption spray by plastics substantially.

11. eliminated needs to occupant's sensor by close friend's non-injury air suction type air bag.

Can understand other purposes and advantage from above detailed description of preferred embodiment.

Although above illustrate and described some preferred embodiments, exist for the assembly of carrying out identical function and use may making up of other geometric configuratioies, sensor, material and different size.This paper discloses the invention is not restricted to above embodiment, and should be determined by appended claims.Except above-described application, also there are many additional application.The those skilled in the art will understand many changes of the present invention, modification, variation and other purposes and application after this specification sheets of considering the announcement preferred embodiment of the present invention and accompanying drawing.All these changes, modification, variation and other purposes and the application that do not break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention all are regarded as being contained by the present invention, and the present invention is limited by appended claims only.

Claims

1. vehicle that comprises gas-bag system, described gas-bag system launches the occupant with the passenger compartment of protecting described vehicle during the collision that relates to described vehicle, and described vehicle comprises:

Collision sensor system, its detection relates to the collision of described vehicle;

Steering gear;

Steering handwheel, it rotates with respect to described Steering gear;

The driver's side air bag module, it is installed to described steering handwheel, and comprise the driver's side air bag of inflating with the chaufeur of protecting described vehicle, the airbag cover that covers described air bag and generation inflation medium so that the gas producer of described driver's side air bag inflation, described driver's side air bag and described airbag cover are through arranging to rotate with described steering handwheel, described driver's side air bag is made by plastic film, and whether described gas producer be fixedly connected to described Steering gear and therefore or not when described steering handwheel rotation; And

Control module, it is coupled to described collision sensor system and described gas producer, and detects collision and make described gas producer begin to produce the inflation medium based on described collision sensor system.

2. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said collision sensor system comprises at least one mems accelerometer, and described at least one mems accelerometer randomly Low-cost GPS receiver system of the error in proofreading and correct described at least one mems accelerometer uses.

3. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said collision sensor system comprises the Safety check-up sensor, described Safety check-up sensor arranges to detect breaking of described vehicle along the outward flange of described vehicle.

4. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said driver's side air bag module comprises the air suction type aerator, and the described inflation medium that described air suction type aerator will be produced by described gas producer mixes with the air from described passenger compartment and described compound is directed in the described driver's side air bag.

5. vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said air suction type aerator comprise the gas absorption spray that is fixed to described gas producer and the part that is fixed to described steering handwheel.

6. vehicle according to claim 1, it further comprises:

The side gas-bag for passenger module, it comprises side gas-bag for passenger, and described side gas-bag for passenger is inflated to protect the passenger of described vehicle and is made by plastic film;

Extra gas producer, it produces the inflation medium so that the inflation of described side gas-bag for passenger; And

Optional air suction type aerator, its described inflation medium that will be produced by described extra gas producer mixes with air from described passenger compartment and described compound is directed in the described side gas-bag for passenger.

7. vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said control module further is coupled to described extra gas producer and detects collision and make described extra gas producer begin to produce the inflation medium based on described collision sensor system, and described control module is arranged in the described side gas-bag for passenger module and is wired to described gas producer and described collision sensor system.

8. vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said side gas-bag for passenger module comprises the capacitor energy storage device, and energy is provided to described extra gas producer to described capacitor energy storage device so that described extra gas producer can begin to produce the inflation medium.

9. vehicle according to claim 8, it further comprises storage battery, described storage battery is wired to described capacitor energy storage device to guarantee the energy storage of described capacitor energy storage device.

10. vehicle according to claim 6, it further comprises rider positions or has sensing system, described rider positions or exist sensing system to determine that information about described chaufeur or passenger's existence or described chaufeur or passenger's position, described control module are coupled to described rider positions or have sensing system and control the expansion of described driver's side air bag or described side gas-bag for passenger based on described definite information.

11. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said collision sensor system comprises the first crash sensor and the second arming sensor, and described control module only is configured to all to be triggered and to make described gas producer begin to produce the inflation medium when therefore being regarded as indicating described collision sensor system to detect collision when described the first crash sensor and described the second arming sensor.

12. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said control module is configured to produce encoded digital signal and this encoded signal guidance is arrived described gas producer, and described encoded digital signal causes described gas producer to begin to produce described inflation medium after being received by described gas producer at once.

13. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said driver's side air bag module comprises the capacitor energy storage device, and energy is provided to described gas producer to described capacitor energy storage device so that described gas producer can begin to produce the inflation medium.

14. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said collision sensor system is comprised of the single-point crash sensor.

15. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said collision sensor system comprises: contain three accelerometers and three gyrostatic Inertial Measurement Units (IMU); And the gps receiver system that the accuracy measurement that is provided by described IMU is provided by Kalman filter.

16. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said airbag cover comprises groove, corresponding antelabium in described groove and the described driver's side air bag module cooperates, so that when behind described airbag aeration, at once pressure being applied to described airbag cover, described groove is withdrawn from and described airbag cover flicks from described driver's side air bag module from its cooperation antelabium described air bag module, and described airbag cover randomly can be attached to described driver's side air bag module.

17. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said gas producer are configured to provide the initial high pressure of inflation medium to flow to cause removing of described lid, and provide subsequently described inflation medium than lowpressure stream.

18. vehicle according to claim 1, it further comprises the rider positions sensing system, described rider positions sensing system is determined the information about at least one occupant's existence, described control module is coupled to described rider positions sensing system and controls the expansion of described driver's side air bag based on described definite information, described rider positions sensing system comprises the first conductive pad of the seat part that is arranged in driver's seat and is arranged in the second conductive pad of the back part of described driver's seat, described whereby chaufeur causes the adjustment of the circuit that comprises described the first and second conductive pads, and described adjustment can be exchanged into the information about described at least one occupant.

19. vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said collision sensor system comprises center installing type crash sensor, described center installing type crash sensor is installed on the structure member and is attached at least one cross side of described vehicle by the corresponding construction parts in the rupture zone that is positioned partially at described vehicle, so that described structure member is transferred to described crash sensor with impact pulse from described rupture zone.

20. a vehicle that comprises gas-bag system, described gas-bag system launch the occupant with the passenger compartment of protecting described vehicle during the collision that relates to described vehicle, described vehicle comprises:

Steering handwheel;

The driver's side air bag module, it is installed to described steering handwheel and comprises:

Driver's side air bag, it is inflated to protect the chaufeur of described vehicle and is made by plastic film,

Airbag cover, it covers described air bag,

Gas producer, it produces the inflation medium so that described driver's side air bag is inflated, and

The air suction type aerator, its described inflation medium that will be produced by described gas producer mixes with air from described passenger compartment and described compound is directed in the described driver's side air bag; And